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Thursday, May 29, 2014

Are you an Activist?

Making an Impact: Are You an Activist?By Tara Holmes, Truthout | Op-EdWho are the "real" activists? How do they make a difference?I never considered myself an "activist," per se. Activists were hardcore people who literally put their lives on the line against injustice. Don't get me wrong, I get fired up when I hear of environmental or social wrongdoing - I write letters to elected officials, make calls, attend community meetings, or boycott a product - but regularly march in the streets, or risk being thrown in jail? That's just too intense for me; that's reserved for "real" activists.It took me some time to realize that the "small, simple" actions I was taking against oppression in my own daily life, even if simply raising an important issue with my friends, family and colleagues, added up to more activism than I thought, and it was just as real and impactful. In fact, I came to realize that we're all activists to varying degrees; it just depends on how you look at it. After all, who hasn't at some point in time in some small way stood up against injustice - especially when it becomes personal?Perhaps, then, I have to redefine my definition of activism. Who are activists anyway? People who have nothing to lose? People who have everything to lose? People who feel a sense of right and wrong more so than others? What I'm coming to realize is that activism comes in all shapes and sizes and can be witnessed in the most unlikely of places.Classic Political Activism....To Read More: http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/23900-making-an-impact-are-you-an-activist